Breast pump drawer system

Abstract

A breast pump drawer system is disclosed that includes a breast pump drawer configured to be received by an interior compartment of a containment structure via a guide member and including a headrest pin, a headrest cavity, a slide rail cavity, and a support leg cavity. The bottle slide device is configured to be received within the slide cavity. The bottle slide device may also be configured to attach to a bottle holder. The base support leg is configured to be received within the support leg cavity. The base support leg is also configured to be positioned between the breast pump drawer and the floor surface, thereby supporting the breast pump drawer. A headrest is configured to be coupled to the headrest pin and includes a headrest base configured to be received by the headrest cavity. The headrest is configured to rotate about the headrest pin to a desired angle.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 505,133, filed May 31, 2023, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0002] The technology generally relates to breast pumping systems, and more specifically to breast pump drawer systems that can be integrated into any type of furniture to improve the posture of women pumping and reduce medical complications. Background Technology

[0003] Breastfeeding has several advantages, including improved infant health, enhanced resistance to infections, diseases, and viruses, better digestion compared to other forms of nutrition, and healthier weight as the infant grows. To store breast milk for later use, mothers often use breast pumps. Mothers who choose to use a breast pump may experience several benefits. For example, pumping after breastfeeding can increase milk production and / or stimulate the nipples, thereby increasing and maintaining milk supply.

[0004] Furthermore, pumping provides convenience for mothers and family members, allowing for subsequent bottle feeding and thus improving the bond between them and their baby. Additionally, mothers can return to work, completing tasks and / or taking breaks, for example, while other caregivers can bottle feed the baby. Going further, some mothers choose to sell their breast milk or donate excess milk to milk banks, while others may pump and donate after the baby is born and lives with the parents.

[0005] In some cases, pumping can be beneficial or even necessary for the baby's health. For example, if the mother has flat or inverted nipples, or is unable to breastfeed due to postoperative complications, postpartum conditions, or upper limb disabilities (such as amputation or other shoulder, elbow, or wrist conditions), pumping can provide the baby with all the benefits of breast milk. Pumping may also be necessary for babies who are unable to breastfeed due to medical reasons or complications such as premature birth, weakness, low muscle tone, short frenulum, or general latching or sucking difficulties.

[0006] However, many mothers struggle to produce enough milk through pumping for various reasons, including the stress and anxiety of caring for an infant, discomfort from pumping, and the discomfort of maintaining various postures for extended periods during pumping. Furthermore, nursing bras or pumping bras can create pressure, potentially leading to breast tissue complications and / or hindering breast tissue massage, and may increase stress. Poor posture during pumping often results in inefficient pumping, reduced milk volume, and / or decreased milk production.

[0007] Besides reducing milk production, improper posture during breast pumping can lead to serious health problems for women, including neck, shoulder, and / or back pain or discomfort or other similar diagnoses, headaches or migraines, or fatigue. Mothers using current breast pumps in unfavorable environments and postures are also more prone to blocked milk ducts. Current breast pumps also require mothers to hold the bottle attached to the shield, preventing them from performing self-massage of the breasts during pumping, thus hindering effective milk expression and failing to reduce the risk of medical complications in breast tissue.

[0008] While forward-leaning breast pumping chair systems, such as those disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2023 / 0398268 entitled "Breast Pumping System" (the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference), have been developed, these devices have limited portability and may not be available in all scenarios where mothers might want to pump. For example, in a hospital neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), chair systems may take up too much space to be practically deployed for every mother, where numerous other patient care systems and devices are required to support neonatal health. Attached Figure Description

[0009] Figures 1A to 1B This is a perspective view of furniture including an exemplary breast pump drawer system;

[0010] Figure 2 yes Figure 1A and Figure 1B The exemplary breast pump drawer system shown is a perspective view in its extended position.

[0011] Figure 3 Is it possible to... Figure 1A and Figure 1B A perspective view of an exemplary removable and / or adjustable headrest used in conjunction with an exemplary breast pump drawer system;

[0012] Figures 4A to 4B They are Figure 1A and Figure 1B Top perspective view of an exemplary breast pump drawer system;

[0013] Figure 5 Is it possible to... Figures 4A to 4B A perspective view of an exemplary bottle slide rail device used in conjunction with an exemplary breast pump drawer system; and

[0014] Figure 6 This is a bottom perspective view of an exemplary breast pump drawer system with integrated drawer supports. Detailed Implementation

[0015] The disclosed technology generally relates to breast pump drawer systems, examples of which include drawers that can be incorporated into any type of housing structure, which, by way of example only, can be furniture such as changing tables, dressing tables, or other childcare furniture (e.g., baby cradles) or equipment such as portable medical carts in clinic or hospital settings. In one example, the furniture (e.g., a bedside table) may include a power outlet for charging the breast pump and / or a refrigerated compartment for storing expressed breast milk. While breast pump drawer systems within housing structures are disclosed herein by way of example, in other examples, exemplary breast pump drawer systems may be incorporated into and / or coupled to other types of devices, furniture, or structures. In some examples, structural components are embedded within the breast pump drawer of the exemplary breast pump drawer system, including base support legs, a headrest, and a breast milk collection system (e.g., including bottle slide rails configured to attach to a bottle rack), as well as other components in other examples.

[0016] Using this technology, users can easily slide or pull out the breast pump drawer from its housing and remove and / or connect structural components and other parts contained within the drawer, thereby installing or setting up a breast pumping or nursing system or workstation. This provides a supported, hands-free, forward-leaning posture suitable for use with any type of breast pump. For users sitting in a chair or on any other surface, or standing, this forward-leaning ergonomic breast pumping system offers comfort, convenience, and increased efficiency (e.g., increased milk flow), reduces breast tissue complications (e.g., due to the forward-leaning posture), and extends pumping duration, among many other benefits.

[0017] refer to Figure 1A Figure B discloses an exemplary receiving structure 100 comprising a breast pump drawer system 102 according to some examples of the art. In this example, the receiving structure 100 includes a first door and second doors 104A-B, each door hinged on opposite outer sides such that the first door and second doors 104A-B open in a parallel arrangement. In some examples, the first inner surface 106 or the second inner surface (of the first door 104A or the second door 104B) Figures 1A to 1B One or two of the following (not shown) include a track, rail, or other guide component 108, which is configured to receive a breast pump drawer (e.g., referred to below) pulled or otherwise manipulated by a user into the guide component 108. Figure 2 (Described).

[0018] In other examples, the housing structure 100 may not include any doors, and in these examples, the breast pump drawer system 102 may extend or slide out from the housing structure 100, without any part of the housing structure separate from the breast pump drawer system 102 opening or otherwise moving. While the breast pump drawer system 102 may be part of the housing structure 100, in other examples, the breast pump drawer system 102 may also be adapted into any housing structure. Furthermore, the housing structure 100 may take any form and any type of design.

[0019] Optionally, one or both of the first inner surface 106 or the second inner surface may include a locking mechanism, by which the breast pump drawer 200 is configured to engage (e.g., when fully withdrawn from the internal compartment 110 of the receiving structure 100 located behind the first and second doors 104A-B), thereby locking the breast pump drawer or otherwise holding it in the extended position. Other types of guiding components (including rails, sliders, or other extension devices) may also be used in other examples, and other methods and types of devices may also be used to facilitate the extension of the breast pump drawer from the receiving structure 100.

[0020] refer to Figure 2 The image shows a breast pump drawer system 102 in an extended position with structural components installed. In this example, the breast pump drawer system 102 includes a breast pump drawer 200 configured to contain embedded structural components that can be manipulated by a user to connect together to form a breast pumping system. More specifically, in some examples, the structural components may include one or more of, for example, a headrest 202, a breast milk collection system (e.g., bottle rails 204A-B configured to attach to a bottle rack), and / or base support legs 206. The structural components may be contained within the breast pump drawer 200, as referenced below. Figures 3 to 4A and Figure 4B As described and illustrated. While some examples of breast milk collection systems disclosed herein include bottle slide rail devices 204A-B configured to attach to a bottle holder for holding bottles to collect discharged breast milk, other types of breast milk collection systems with other components may also be used in other examples of this technology, including those referenced below. Figure 6 The bottle attachment device shown is described.

[0021] During operation, the user can open the first and second doors 104A-B, slide the breast pump drawer 200 within the guide member 108 to the locked extended position, pull out the bottle slide rail device 204A-B from the corresponding slide rail cavity 208A-B of the breast pump drawer 200, and pull out the base support leg 206 from the support leg cavity of the breast pump drawer 200 (see below). Figure 6The headrest 202 or one or more parts thereof are pulled out from the headrest cavity of the breast pump drawer 200 (see below for reference). Figures 3 to 4B Extracted from (description). As used herein, the term "cavity" can include any through-hole, hole, groove, recess, slot, opening, or track, etc.

[0022] The pull-out base supports the legs 206, which can then be accessed via the leg hinges (see below). Figure 6 The headrest 202 (including the headrest pad 212 attached to the headrest 202) is connected to the breast pump drawer 200 via a headrest pin 214. In some examples, the leg hinges and headrest pin 214 are located on the front outer surface 216 of the breast pump drawer 200; however, in other examples, the leg hinges and / or headrest pin 214 may be connected to the breast pump drawer 200 at other locations. The headrest pin 214 can optionally be locked and adjusted such that the headrest 202 (including the headrest pad 212) is held in a specific angular position relative to the top surface of the breast pump drawer 200. Other types of locking mechanisms may also be used in other examples, including a ring that engages with the breast pump drawer 200 or an adjustable hinged support that is attached to the headrest 202 and extends between the headrest 202 and the top surface of the breast pump drawer 200.

[0023] refer to Figure 3 An exemplary removable and / or adjustable headrest 202 of an exemplary breast pump drawer system 102 is shown. The headrest 202 in this example includes a headrest base 210, which includes a proximal post 300 and a distal mounting base 302 configured to attach to a headrest cushion 212. While the headrest base 210, its proximal post 300 and distal mounting base 302, and the headrest cushion 212 are described herein as separate components, any number of these components can be formed as a single, integral structure. The headrest base 210 is configured to be attached via a headrest pin 214 to a stabilizing bar located within or attached to the bottom of the breast pump drawer (see below). Figure 4A and Figure 4B (Example describing the stabilizer bar). The headrest pin 214 rotatably receives at least the proximal post 300 of the headrest base 210.

[0024] In some examples, the distal mounting base 302 can be removed from the proximal post 300 and / or is height-adjustable within the proximal post 300 (e.g., configured via a telescopic pin or locking pin). In other examples, the proximal post 300 can be detached from the headrest pin 214, thereby completely removing the headrest 202 from the breast pump drawer system 102. In other examples, the headrest pin 214 can be removed to disassemble the breast pump drawer system 102, which will completely remove the forward-leaning pad (e.g., the breast pad 304, which can be removed independently and attached to the proximal post 300) and all parts of the headrest 202. After removal, the breast pump drawer system 102 can also be used as a regular table or workbench / desk, but no longer provides support for forward-leaning breastfeeding.

[0025] Therefore, the proximal post 300 is locked into the breast pump drawer 200 via the headrest pin 214 to support the user leaning forward when standing or sitting on any surface of suitable height, or other locking mechanisms may be used to ensure the desired forward-leaning position of the proximal post 300 and / or distal mounting base 302 of the headrest 202. The user's standing posture facilitates suspended pumping, while the seated position (e.g., with the headrest 202 attached) allows for a forward-leaning position during work or rest. In other examples, the headrest 202 may be removed (e.g., as explained above) and / or not used to allow the top of the breast pump drawer 200 to be used, for example, as a workstation. The headrest 202 may be configured to rotate about the headrest pin 214 via the proximal post 300, thereby being received and held within the headrest cavity 306 of the breast pump drawer 200. In some examples, the distal mounting base 302 of the headrest 202 can be removed (along with the headrest pad 212) and stored inside the breast pump drawer 202, so that the headrest 202 is held within the headrest cavity 306 of the breast pump drawer system 102.

[0026] Regardless of whether the headrest is installed or used, the proximal support 300 and / or the headrest base 210 can be configured to attach to the breast pad 304 (e.g., via hook and loop fasteners (e.g., Velcro™) or any other fastening mechanism) to support the user in a forward-leaning position, which helps promote effective milk drainage and reduces susceptibility or risk to breast tissue complications. Additionally, in some examples, a triangular post (not shown) can be used, with the breast pad 304 attached to the front of the triangular post, and the headrest 202 or a portion thereof (e.g., the distal mount 302) inserted at the apex above the breast pad 304. For example, one or both of the headrest pad 212 or the breast pad 304 (and / or the triangular post) can be held within and / or mounted to the breast pump drawer 200 (e.g., below it), as explained in more detail below, and other configurations may also be used.

[0027] The user can then use the breast pump drawer system 102 from a seated position while in any chair by attaching the bottles to each bottle slide rail device 204A-204B or other breast milk collection system for retaining the expressed breast milk. The bottles may be in fluid communication with the breast pump device (not shown) to facilitate the expression of breast milk. In some examples, the breast pump device may be integrated within and / or retained by the breast pump drawer 200, while in other examples, the breast pump device may be located outside the breast pump drawer system 102 and placed on the top surface of the extended breast pump drawer 200. In the latter example, the breast pump device and / or accessories may be included in or not included in the receiving structure 100 and / or breast pump drawer system 102 described and illustrated herein by way of example.

[0028] refer to Figures 4A to 4B The image shows a top perspective view of an exemplary breast pump drawer system 102. In this example, the breast pump drawer 200 holds bottle slides 104A-B within slide cavities 400A-B, respectively, allowing the bottle slides 104A-B to extend during use. Similarly, a headrest 202 or one or more portions thereof (e.g., proximal post 300) can be accessed by a user from a headrest cavity 306 formed in the breast pump drawer 200 (e.g., in…). Figure 3 (as shown in the diagram) extends out and locks in place at the desired length and / or angle. Alternatively, for example, a stabilizing bar 402A-B made of aluminum, other metals, wood or other materials may be provided inside the breast pump drawer 200 or coupled to the bottom of the breast pump drawer to connect to one or more structural components (e.g., headrest pin 214) and / or guide the breast pump drawer 200 within the receiving structure 100.

[0029] The bottle slide rail assembly 104A-B can be configured to be coupled to a container of the bottle rack 404A-B or other breast milk collection system, such as via a post located at the distal end of the bottle slide rail assembly 104A-B and configured to receive the bottle rack 404A-B respectively. In other examples, straps, hooks and loop fasteners, clips and / or ball joints that facilitate several degrees of freedom of movement and / or rotation can be used to couple the bottle rack 404A-B to the bottle slide rail assembly 104A-B and / or another part of the breast pump drawer system 102 respectively (e.g., as referenced below). Figure 6 (The breast pump drawer 200, the proximal column 300 of the headrest 202, or the base support leg 206 are explained.) In other examples, any other mechanism that connects the covered bottle to the bottle slide rail assembly 104A-B may also be used.

[0030] Optionally, the bottle holders 404A-B and / or the bottle slide rails 104A-B can be adjusted in any number of directions to provide a comfortable, effective, and healthy shield / bottle position for the user of the breast pump drawer system 102. Additionally, some users may prefer to wear a nursing bra to maintain the shield, and / or remove the bottle slide rails 104A-B from the breast pump drawer 200 and wear their breast pump in their bra.

[0031] refer to Figure 5 The illustration shows a breast pump drawer system 102, in which an exemplary bottle slide assembly 104B is withdrawn from a slide cavity 400B. In this example, the bottle slide assembly 104B includes a locking mechanism 500 that locks the bottle slide assembly 104B in place within a complementary locking feature 502 coupled to the slide cavity 400B. For example, the locking mechanism 500 may be a post configured to extend and retract, engaging the locking feature 502 (which may be a locking groove or cavity) upon extension, thereby establishing the extended position of the bottle slide assembly 104B. Any other type of locking mechanism and / or feature may be used in other examples, and the locking mechanism and / or feature of each of the bottle slide assemblies 104A-B may be the same or different.

[0032] Now for reference Figure 6 The image shows a bottom perspective view of an exemplary breast pump drawer system 102 with drawer supports 600A-B. The breast pump drawer 200 is shown with exemplary drawer supports 600A-B, which are configured to be received by the breast pump drawer 200 via drawer support cavities 602A-B, respectively. When the breast pump drawer 200 is pushed into and pulled out of the internal compartment 110 of the receiving structure 100, the drawer supports 600A-B can guide the breast pump drawer 200 within the drawer support cavities 602A-B.

[0033] In this example, the bottom of the breast pump drawer 200 also includes a support leg cavity 604 configured to receive and hold the base support leg 206 of the breast pump drawer system 102. The base support leg 206 is telescopic to extend to a specific length, in some examples, corresponding to the height of the breast pump drawer 200, the headrest base 210, and / or the headrest cushion 212. The desired length of the base support leg 206 can also be determined by the angle at which the base support leg 206 is positioned relative to the floor and by a leg hinge 606 configured to rotate about it (thus supporting the weight of the breast pump drawer 200).

[0034] In this example, the base support leg 206 includes a double-pin locking mechanism 608 for locking or extending the base support leg 206. However, other types of locking mechanisms and / or base support legs may be used in other examples. While one base support leg 206 is disclosed in this example, multiple base support legs may be used in other examples, and these support legs may operate in the same or different manner as the base support leg 206. The shape of the proximal end of one or more of the base support legs may be similar to... Figure 2 and Figure 6 The shapes shown may be the same or different.

[0035] Figure 6 An exemplary bottle attachment device 610 is also shown, which is coupled to a base support leg 206. In this example, the breast milk collection system includes a bottle attachment device 610 configured to hold a bottle for storing expressed breast milk. For example, the bottle can be attached to the bottle attachment device 610 by a clip, ball joint, or any other mechanism, and / or slide laterally along the bottle attachment device 610 after attachment to facilitate multi-axis movement and / or rotation. The breast pump drawer 200 in this example includes an attachment cavity 612 configured to receive and hold the bottle attachment device 610 when the base support leg 206 is rotated about a leg hinge 606 and introduced into a leg cavity 604. In some examples, the leg cavity 604 and the attachment cavity 612 may be an integral cavity. Therefore, in this example, the bottle attachment device 610 can be used instead of the bottle slide rail devices 104A-B, and other types of breast milk collection systems may also be used in other examples.

[0036] Having thus described the basic concepts of the invention, it will be quite apparent to those skilled in the art that the foregoing detailed disclosure is intended to be illustrative only and is not restrictive. While not explicitly stated herein, various changes, modifications, and alterations will be made and are intended for use by those skilled in the art. These changes, modifications, and alterations are set forth herein and are within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A breast pump drawer system, comprising: A breast pump drawer, the breast pump drawer being received within an internal compartment of a receiving structure via one or more guide members and including a headrest pin, a headrest cavity, a first slide rail cavity and a second slide rail cavity, and a support leg cavity; A first bottle slide rail device and a second bottle slide rail device, the first bottle slide rail device and the second bottle slide rail device being configured to receive at least a portion of the first slide rail cavity and the second slide rail cavity, respectively, wherein the first bottle slide rail device and the second bottle slide rail device are further configured to be attached to a first bottle rack and a second bottle rack, respectively. A base support leg is configured to be received by at least a portion of the support leg cavity, wherein the base support leg is further configured to be positioned between the breast pump drawer and the floor surface, thereby supporting the breast pump drawer. as well as A headrest configured to be coupled to the headrest pin and including a headrest base configured to be received by at least a portion of the headrest cavity, wherein the headrest is configured to rotate about the headrest pin to a desired angle.

2. The breast pump drawer system of claim 1, wherein each of the first bottle slide and the second bottle slide includes a locking mechanism configured to engage a locking feature disposed near a respective one of the first slide cavity and the second slide cavity, thereby holding the first bottle slide and the second bottle slide in an extended position, and the first bottle holder and the second bottle holder for holding bottles configured to receive breast milk discharged by the user of the breast pump drawer system.

3. The breast pump drawer system according to claim 1, further comprising a breast pad connected to the headrest base.

4. The breast pump drawer system of claim 1, wherein one or both of the headrest base or the base support legs are retractable to facilitate and maintain the desired height.

5. The breast pump drawer system of claim 1, wherein the headrest pin is disposed near the front surface of the breast pump drawer, and the desired angle is relative to the top surface of the breast pump drawer.

6. The breast pump drawer system of claim 1, wherein the headrest base includes a proximal post and a distal mounting base, and the distal mounting base is configured to attach to the headrest cushion.

7. The breast pump drawer system of claim 1, further comprising a leg hinge disposed near the front surface of the breast pump drawer, wherein the base support leg is configured to rotate about the leg hinge.

8. The breast pump drawer system of claim 1, wherein the housing structure comprises furniture, a changing table, a dressing table, a baby cradle, or a portable medical stroller.

9. A receiving structure comprising: An internal compartment and one or more guide components disposed near the internal compartment; A breast pump drawer, the breast pump drawer being received within the internal compartment via the one or more guide members and including a headrest cavity, a first slide rail cavity and a second slide rail cavity, and a support leg cavity; A first bottle slide rail device and a second bottle slide rail device are configured to receive at least a portion of the first slide rail cavity and the second slide rail cavity, respectively. A base support leg, the base support leg being configured to receive at least a portion of the support leg cavity; as well as A headrest, the headrest including a headrest base configured to be received by at least a portion of the headrest cavity.

10. The housing structure of claim 9, wherein the base support leg is further configured to be positioned between the breast pump drawer and the floor surface, thereby supporting the breast pump drawer.

11. The receiving structure according to claim 9, wherein the first bottle slide rail device and the second bottle slide rail device are further configured to be attached to the first bottle holder and the second bottle holder, respectively, for holding bottles configured to receive discharged breast milk.

12. The receiving structure of claim 9, wherein the breast pump drawer further includes a headrest pin, the proximal post of the headrest base is further configured to be coupled to the headrest pin, the headrest is configured to rotate about the headrest pin and lock at a desired angle, and the headrest is height-adjustable via a connection between the proximal post and the distal mounting base of the headrest base.

13. The receiving structure according to claim 12, wherein the headrest pin is disposed near the front surface of the breast pump drawer, and the desired angle is relative to the top surface of the breast pump drawer.

14. The receiving structure of claim 9, wherein each of the first bottle slide rail device and the second bottle slide rail device includes a locking mechanism configured to engage a locking feature disposed near a respective one of the first slide rail cavity and the second slide rail cavity, thereby holding the first bottle slide rail device and the second bottle slide rail device in an extended position.

15. The receiving structure according to claim 9, further comprising a chest pad connected to the headrest base.

16. The receiving structure of claim 9, wherein one or both of the headrest base or the base support legs are retractable to facilitate and maintain a desired height.

17. The receiving structure of claim 9, wherein the headrest base includes a proximal post and a distal mounting base, and the distal mounting base is configured to attach to the headrest pad.

18. The receiving structure according to claim 9, further comprising a leg hinge disposed near the front surface of the breast pump drawer, wherein the base support leg is configured to rotate about the leg hinge.

19. The housing structure according to claim 9, further comprising furniture, a changing table, a dressing table, a baby cradle, or a portable medical stroller.

20. A breast pump drawer system, comprising: A breast pump drawer, the breast pump drawer being received within an internal compartment of a receiving structure via one or more guide members and including a headrest cavity, a first slide rail cavity and a second slide rail cavity, and a support leg cavity; A first bottle slide rail device and a second bottle slide rail device, the first bottle slide rail device and the second bottle slide rail device being configured to receive at least a portion of the first slide rail cavity and the second slide rail cavity, respectively, wherein the first bottle slide rail device and the second bottle slide rail device are further configured to be attached to a first bottle rack and a second bottle rack, respectively. A base support leg is configured to be received by at least a portion of the support leg cavity, wherein the base support leg is further configured to be positioned between the breast pump drawer and the floor surface, thereby supporting the breast pump drawer. as well as A headrest, the headrest including a headrest base configured to be received by at least a portion of the headrest cavity, wherein the headrest is configured to rotate and be maintained at a desired angle.

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